Chapter 273: CHAPTER 272

Teresa's sudden and alarming comment surprised Candice, as she like most people in the empire was very aware of the situation with the kingdom of Tripia.

She had always been gathering information about it, being in the food trading industry she had to be prepared, but so far, although the bad relations and skirmishes between the two countries were increasing, she had not heard that war would break out soon.

For this reason, the words of her friend surprised her, because if what Teresa said was true, this meant that her information was outdated. Still, she refused to believe it, because Vala was at the forefront of collecting information about the possible war and Candice could not believe that she would miss something so important.

Teresa, seeing Candice's expression, immediately sensed what she must be thinking, so she began to explain, "It is normal that you do not know about this, as the empire is covering its steps well, but I can assure you that in less than a month war will break out with the kingdom of Tripia".

Despite Teresa's words, Candice still refused to believe it. While it was true that the empire might be covering things up, she didn't believe they could do so to the extent that no one would find out, so she skeptically asked, "Is what you are telling me real?"

Teresa could note the tone of suspicion in Candice's question and couldn't blame her because it did seem like a lie, but she wasn't lying. The empire had mobilized all its agents to cover everything up and avoid chaos, but the war was already at the gates of the house.

After Teresa's confirmation, Candice looked at her seriously as if trying to see if her friend was lying to her, but she concluded that she was telling the truth and that worried her because she had not made the necessary arrangements.

"Teresa, if what you say is true, I really think the empire made a mistake in hiding this information," Candice said seriously. Teresa didn't understand what Candice meant so she asked, "What do you mean?".

"If most of the merchants are like me, none of them are aware that the war is already here, so they must not have finished their preparations, it will create a shortage," Candice explained.

"Don't worry about that. While the war is estimated to start in about a month and the merchants may be in the dark, the empire made their preparations, so the merchants have about 2 months to prepare", Teresa continued.

These words confused Candice. She did not understand what Teresa meant by the empire's preparations, but she suspected that it was not a good thing for her.

Despite that, she couldn't back out and replied, "If I have 2 months to prepare, there will be no problem in contributing my share." Teresa listening to her friend smiled and thanked, "On behalf of the empire I thank you in advance for your contributions."

"That is not necessary. I'm a merchant, I'll just make money from this. It's not like I'm going to give away my food and I assume the empire won't treat me badly," Candice replied in a serious tone.

She was still suspicious of this situation. It all seemed too strange to her, but the lack of information tied her hands and she could only trust her friend's words.

What Candice did not know was that Augustus and his ministers had informed a certain group of merchants about the war in advance and they were already prepared, only Candice was not within that group.

Previously, she would be a candidate and would be within that group, but her relationship with Andrew put her in a suspicious position, so the king and the ministers decided not to include her and let her belong to the group that would find out late.

In Teresa's defense, she only learned of this plan until recently, so she could only apologize to her friend internally. While she felt bad about how the situation had gotten, she is a noble of the empire and has no say in the matter.

She knew Candice would find out sooner or later about this move by the empire and at that point the relationships would be dead, something she didn't want, so she did something she shouldn't do. Get the latest stories on m_vl_em_p_yr

"Candice, you didn't hear this from me. I am speaking to you now as a friend and not as a marquise of the empire," Teresa said seriously, which surprised Candice, but did not interrupt her.

"The reason the empire can afford to give you two months' notice is because the king and his ministers chose a group of merchants they considered suitable and briefed them on everything, so they are already ready for war. That is the reason why the empire is confident". Teresa added with a deep voice and sad expression.

Candice, listening to Teresa, immediately understood everything. It was not that the empire had reserves, but that it had already prepared a group to supply its army, only that she and many others were not in that group.

She also understood the reasons for not being in that advanced group and although she understood, she felt sad to see how relations had degraded between her and the empire, just because of her relationship with Andrew.

However, it was only a passing sadness. She would not change anything if she could go back in time, she would still formalize her relationship with Andrew, as it was the best thing that had happened to her.

While it was true that not being in that advanced group, would cause her to lose some money, nothing compared to Andrew right now, however, she still thanked her friend, "Thanks for telling me. At least I see you're still my friend."

"I will always be your friend, even if I have my obligations. I just hope you don't distance yourself because of this," Teresa said sadly, but Candice's words were blunt, "You know that will be difficult. The Empire's attitude is clear and I know you won't turn against the Empire because of me, so I'm afraid our relationship will still drift apart."

Candice's words were like a knife to Teresa's heart, but she could not refute them because what she had said was true. She had obligations as a noble of the empire and although she loved her friend very much, she would not risk everything for her.

Then, as if she wanted to change the conversation Teresa asked, "Well, let's put that aside. When do you think you might be ready? When will we hear from your husband?".

A sad smile appeared on Candice's face as she replied, "In a month and a half, I'll have everything in order. As for my husband, I don't know." This response confused Teresa and she couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean, you don't know about your husband?"

"Just as you heard. My husband had some problems on the trip and he only arrived in the kingdom of Dunnas recently, so he is just settling in. I don't know if 2 months is long enough for him to make his preparations," Candice replied.

Now it was Teresa's turn to be suspicious of Candice's words. She could not deny that Candice might have made this up to keep her husband from helping the empire now that they had wronged her and while she could not blame her, she really did not want this to happen.

Candice as if discovering her friend's thoughts said, "I am not lying to you. Even if I wanted to retaliate for the empire play, I have no reason to lose money, so don't be suspicious, really my husband isn't ready yet."

She paused and added, "I will inform him of the situation and notify you when he gets back to me." Teresa could only attend and let the subject go, as there was no way to oblige her, so she dropped the subject.

After a few additional words, Teresa took her leave and left the Heavenly Palace. After Teresa left, Helena and Carolina entered the office with Castor and Vala.

Candice had just sent a carrier pigeon to Gaston and Canna to return, as they had to discuss what had happened. She saw her sisters who had small bellies like her and smiling at them she said, "Let's wait until Gaston and the others return to discuss the matter with everyone."

The two girls, Castor and Vala nodded. Gaston, Erick, and Canna were not kept waiting and in less than an hour they had returned to the Heavenly Palace and now that they were all in the office, Candice explained what Teresa had told her.

Gaston who was the most experienced in business immediately sighed in sadness, as he said, "Relationships have really degraded", to which Candice only nodded helplessly.

Everyone understood that this was due to Candice and Andrew's relationship, but no one blamed either of them, as they understood that while they had lost some things, they had also gained others.

Even Gaston who was the one who was most concerned about the relationship between Candice and Andrew, over time had come to appreciate Andrew and even treated him with respect, so he didn't blame him for anything.

"Well, we can't cry over spilled milk," Gaston said and added, "What do we do?". Candice upon hearing Gaston immediately regained her composure and as an experienced businesswoman began to give orders, "Contact our foreign suppliers and buy as much as you can. Establish the fastest and safest route, do not skimp on security costs.

We may have lost the initiative, but we can still make a lot of money."

Then they began to discuss what they would do. They also prepared a hawk and sent a letter to Andrew to let him know what was going on. Meanwhile, Andrew had also finished his meeting with Oliver, Marie, and Aki, so the first two had already left and Andrew together with Aki set out to increase the points and stabilize Andrew's divinity.

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